3.03.2011

You Gotta Be.

{LISTEN: You Gotta Be by Des'ree}

Yesterday, as I walked through the crowded department store, shopping with my mom and Hudson, I heard a familiar song playing softly on the overhead stereo. It's a song that I've heard no less than a million times before.

It was a favorite of mine in the eighth grade, as my best friend and I sang it loud and proud from the backseat of the car, cruising out of the carpool lane at Liberty Middle School.

I always smiled when I heard it play on the radio in college, a wonderful addition to the retro lunch hour program that played as I snacked on french fries and ketchup from the comfort of the University Atrium.

I'm not sure why the melody struck me differently today. I don't really know why the words stuck in my head long after I left the mall.

Tonight, as I find myself winding down after a wonderful day, the chorus still echoes in my mind.

And for the first time, I realize why the song won't leave me. It's not just a fun song with a catchy tune.....

It's because it contains words of wisdom. It shares advice for life:

listen as your day unfolds

challenge what the future holds

try and keep your head up to the sky.

they may cause you tears

go ahead release your fears

stand up and be counted

don't be ashamed to cry.

herald what your mother said

read the books your father read

try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time.

some may have more cash than you

others take a different view.

life goes on without you, leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace

the world keeps on spinning, you can't stop it if you try to.

you gotta be bad

you gotta be bold

you gotta be wiser

you gotta be hard

you gotta be tough

you gotta be stronger

you gotta be cool

you gotta be calm

you gotta stay together

all i know, is love will save the day.

So turn it up. And this time, don't just sing the words....let 'em sink in, too.

I'm singing the song now. I used to love it too. haha. too bad my dad doesn't read books at all haha. I don't want to be bad or hard but I'll be bold and wiser and tough and stronger and cool and calm and stay together. hehe.

I'm missing you and Hudson this morning. What a wonderful day we had yesterday. The weather was beautiful for eating at the outside cafe and strolling around Bridge Street. Hudson was so good and sweet. I enjoyed having you two stay with us overnight. Cute pictures. Hope Will got home safely.

Love WILL save the day :) Awesome post Ashley!!! I had fun listening to that song that I hadn't heard in much too long! And seeing wise words next to those pictures of your adorable boy made me smile :) Glad you had a fun shopping trip with Mom!

i used to listen to this song over and over and over aswell. when i was in year 8 too! such a beautiful song and post! hudson is just a ball of absolute cuteness. the photos of him are just adorable! xx

I remember this song like it came out yesterday. It always reminds me of my sister and my best friend and how we'd go grocery shopping with my mom just to have something to do. It always came on when we were in the car with her on our way to town from the middle of nowhere in which we lived.

This song is firmly implanted in my head. I'll be singing it all night now!